







In English we use the present simple tense to talk about facts or things that are always true, as well as things in general. Present simple is also used to talk about a repeated action such as a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that often happens.
In English we use 'do' and 'does' as auxiliary verbs in negatives and questions and we often use the present simple with adverbs of frequency such as sometimes, always, often, never, usually, rarely, and hardly ever.
Notes for use of present simple :
In the third person, ‘s’ is added to the verb form. For example;
work --> works
run --> runs
live --> lives
For verbs that end in 'o', 'sh', 'ch', 's' and 'x', we add 'es' to the verb form. For example;
go --> goes
wish --> wishes
watch --> watches
kiss --> kisses
fax --> faxes
For verbs that end in a consonant + 'y', we change the 'y' to 'i' and add 'es'. For example;
try --> tries
study --> studies
The table below shows the different forms of present simple :
Example Verb : Work | I / You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | ... work. | ... works. |
| Negative | ... don't work. | ... doesn't work. |
Questions | Do ... work? | Does ... work? |
| Short answers | Yes, ... do. / No, ... don't. | Yes, ... does. / No, ... doesn't. |
For the verb 'to be' we use 'am', 'is', 'are' in the present simple. No auxiliary verbs are used in negative sentences and questions.
Verb: Be | I | You / We / They | He / She / It |
| Positive | I'm ... | ... 're ... | ... 's ... |
| Negative | I'm not ... | ... aren't ... | ... isn't ... |
| Questions | Am I ... ? | Are ... ...? | Is ... ...? |
| Short answers | Yes, I am. / No, I'm not. | Yes, ... are. / No, ... aren't. | Yes, ... is. / No, ... isn't. |
Present Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Simple :
Question Examples of Present Simple :
| Present simple example sentences | |
|---|---|
| Do you have any brothers or sisters? | |
| How much do you pay for your room? | |
| There is a little market near the school. | |
| Do you expect me to make the room bigger by pushing the walls out? | |
| It's usually at the top right of your screen. | |
| I think so, at least there is no aggression. | |
| I'm on my way to Brighton, nearly there! | |
| No she is a very cute, easygoing and friendly girl. | |
| Thank you, I'm 26. | |
| That's right, I think pressure cookers are quite dangerous, too! | |
| Oh, I think I know them. | |
| The recipe is not from the internet, it's from a Jamie Oliver book. | |
| No, I have really bad allergies. | |
| Where is your school, is it in central London? | |
| What do you think, dear, do you like it, too? | |
| Because we know them and have their mobile numbers? | |
| You sound like a mix of British and Australian. | |
| Is there a garlic crusher, then? | |
| But we have to be quick, I don't have much time. | |
| Certainly honey, do you want a glass or a bottle? | |